The guys at Capo Cycling continue to present some of the best looking in-line kits around, and the Dorato steps up quality and design at mid-range prices. Here’s a look at the Dorato thermal jacket, short sleeved jersey, bib shorts, leg warmers, Piemonte Wind gloves & booties, and Euro wool socks.

There’s not much we haven’t said about Capo Cycling in the past 10 years… They started about the same time as PEZ, and have worked hard to grow the company to a top-tier brand in North America, Australia, and now moving into Europe. While their construction has remained largely in Italy (always a good thing when it comes to clothes), their range of fabrics and technical applications have expanded to includes sourcing materials from around the globe, they’ve also been smart about finding international production that can meet their high standards and still deliver an affordable piece of gear.

Capo’s continues to put out some of the more stylish in-line kits, with the Dorato line offered in black (above) or white versions.

While their custom kit business is booming (and has been for several years), they’ve also been hard at pushing some boundaries with their every growing list of in-line kits – showing creative styles and smart applications of compression, microbial, and lighter weight fabrics.

In spite of the success, they haven’t lost sight of their original mission – to provide top quality technical cycling clothing across a price range that makes sense for most consumers.

The Dorato line is a mid-priced technical range of clothing that includes the welcomed and complete offerings of jerseys (short- and long-sleeved), bib shorts, wind vest, thermal jacket, arm, knee & leg warmers, cap and thermal – kit that will get a lot of us through the fours seasons of the year.

Dorato Thermal Jacket – $180
Ranging somewhere between a mid-weight jacket and a more robust long sleeve jersey, Capo uses a combo of their ‘Brick’ multi-layer windproof membrane fabric on the front and sleeves to block the wind, retain warmth and help moisture transfer, and the lighter, more breathable “Micro Quattro” fabric under the arms, side panels and back for better ventilation.

The overall fit is a good one – snug enough without being constricting, you can tell it’s cut by Italians – nobody knows fit like they do. The body stretches comfortably with the rider, and the sleeves are plenty long to ensure wrists are well-covered all the way to the drops.

The 2-inch tapered cuffs held nicely in place below the gloves, keeping out the wind chill. The three double-sewn rear pockets are plenty deep (standard stuff for Capo), but hold snug to the body, so you won’t get that sloppy sag you see on some brands.

The inside of the jacket is where you really see what makes the ‘Brick’ material different. It’s a multi-layered windproof membrane fabric is designed take you to temps below 45F, used here on the front panels and sleeves – see the ‘brick-like’ looking panels above). The inner layer is actually tiny raised fabric tiles, which helps trap a layer of air against the body to keep you warmer, while allowing airflow to aid in ventilation and prevent over-heating.

The side panels and back are 4-way stretch “Micro Quattro” fabric, which is lightly fleeced and offers good breathability.

Capo’s ‘Brick’ fabric is aptly named, but a whole lot warmer.

The 2-inch tall collar is fleece lined, and is comfortable when fully zipped. There’s a sewn 1-inch flap running the length of the left side zipper to keep out the cold, folded and tapered at the neck to tuck it away from the chin.

The two-way zipper is a nice feature that’s handy when regulating your temperature on a climb. The upper tab locks into place so you don’t get any annoying zipper rattle, and the big pulls are easy to grasp with fully gloved fingers.

Like pretty much every Capo top – the waist uses a snugging elastic and silicone gel grips to hold it in place.

PEZ tested the kit on several rides in December in California’s Bay Area, with cooler temps ranging down to low- mid-40’s (F), and found it effective across a wide range, and easily paired with a variety of base layers from single short sleeves, to double layers and long sleeves.

Overall, it’s one of the better thermal jackets our tester had worn in 20 years, and it’s holding up well to multiple washings. Made in Italy. Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL. Available in black or white.

Dorato Short Sleeve Jersey – $120

Capo uses it’s “Super Corsa” cut for this jersey – which offers their version of a
more race fit – snugger body, longer arms, and shorter waste.

The jersey is made mostly from a soft and light fabric called HydroDrop, which has an active hydrophilic treatment to repel/wick away moisture while allowing for some stretch when the body requires a shift to the drops or a reach back to the pockets. The sleeve cuffs are made of the Power Lycra, which offers a snug grip on the arms without using silicone grippers or an added elastic band.

I’m wearing the medium sized jersey, but could easily size down to a small for that really snug ‘racer’ look.

The jersey features a classic design standup 1.5 inch collar, and full length zip that goes all the way up – a nice touch when facing a chilly descent. Standard three rear sewn pockets are generous enough for necessities, and the jersey’s length is cut shorter to sit a but higher on the waist than more traditional cuts – it’s great for looking fast,

The underarm panels are Capo’s ‘Silver’ fabric, a quick drying, dual knit micro-fiber with visible silver thread on the inside, designed to offer increased breathability and anti-bacterial protection. The jersey itself is a more traditional cut (versus the ubiquitous ‘raglan’ style everyone seems to use these days) with sleeves sewn to the shoulders.

The sleeves are slightly longer, which can prevent them from riding up over biceps, and we found the retro cut fit fine in all positions on the bike.

Inside it’s easy to see how the different panels come together at the front, side, back panels, and under arms. The Hydro Drop fabric on the front panels is a softer, multi-directional stretch micro-fiber with some plainly visible vents that will be nice on the warm summer days ahead.

Look close and you’ll see the silver thread woven into the fabric used under the arms.

A closer look at the Hydro Drop fabric shows varying sizes of vents; which allows moisture an easier escape, and aids in drying to keep you more comfortable.

Gel grippers and the elastic waist do the trick to hold the jersey bottom in place.

While we rode this test jersey in the winter, we’ve seen these fabrics work well on other Capo kit. Overall, our tester found it “a nice jersey that never interrupted my ride with unnecessary bunching, gathering, or moving about.”

Made in Italy. Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL. Available in black, white, red or gold.

Dorato Bib Shorts – $180
The Capo bibs have long been a fave around PEZ HQ – we make no bones that our custom PEZ Kit comes from Capo, and since 2004 they’ve delivered consistently well made, durable and comfortable kit – hallmarks that carry across their entire line.

The Dorato bibshorts feature slightly longer legs, and a low-cut front to keep you cooler, and allow decent access for ‘convenience breaks’.

The Dorato bib shorts are constructed with Capo’s high-compression 40-gauge Power Lycra fabric, sewn into their ‘always a pleasure to wear fit’.

The high cut T-back never moves out of place, and the big-vented mesh lets the sweat evaporate easily.

The 3-inch compression leg band is one piece of Power Lycra that’s folded over itself and sewn to the main body of the short. This double layer of compression band allows for a consistent feel across the leg and eliminates the need for a gel gripper in the cuff to hold it in place.

The thinner fabric used on the side panels offers a little bit of stretch, slightly better ventilation than the heavier gauge Power Lycra. Inside seams are flat-lock stitched to keep things smooth and for better comfort.

Overall a bibshort in the classic Capo mold – a thoughtful design that’s well constructed in high quality fabrics. And let’s not forget it’s made in Italy.

Made in Italy. Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL. Available in black or white.

Dorato Roubaix Leg Warmers – $70
You can’t look pro without the matching arms, knees, and leg warmers – and the practicality of these items is beyond question. The mid-weight Dorato leg warmers use the popular Super Roubaix felt-like fabric to retain warmth while being gentle on the skin. It’s not wind-proof or water-proof, but it is a nice, warm fabric that is perfect to keep your legs warm.

The legs are offered in two sizes – a small/medium and a large/xlarge – which should cover off just about every size of rider. The legs are cut long enough to offer enough length for a second layer under the bibs legs which is really nice on cold days, and stretchy enough that they always stay in place.

The 6-1/4-inch Opti zipper allows for easy removal with shoes on.

Made in Italy. Sizes: S/M, L/XL. Available in black or white.

Piemonte LF Wind Gloves – $70
The name of these long fingered ‘wind’ gloves is a bit misleading, since they’re built to keep hands and fingers warm on rides much colder than might be suggested by mere ‘wind’.

The body and fingers are a very windproof fabric, that completely surrounds your appendages, and will likely serve a lot guys in temps as cold as they care to ride. The full inside is lined with a high-pile fleece to keep in the warmth.

The cuff is nice and long, fitting snuggly around the writs and extending far enough under your jacket or jersey sleeve that chilly wrists should never happen.

There’s an added layer of sweat-wipe across the thumb backs, while inside the thumb and first two fingers Capo has wisely added silicone gel grips to ensure levers don’t slip, and to give some extra ‘tack’ when grabbing zippers on cold days.

Hands, like feet, tend to come shaped in a very large variety, so ensuring the fit is right for you should be the only decision you need to make.

Made in Sri Lanka. Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL.

Piemonte Wind Booties – $60
Winter riding in most paces on the North America slab will call for some type of booties for at least part of the season. I run some kind of outer foot cover from October through April, and Capo’s Piemonte Wind booites have served me very well over the last few years.

The Windtex fabric is excellent at blocking wind, and the light fleece inner helps seal in some warmth.

The fit is nice and snug – which is handy for me on really cold days when I double up booties – using these as a base, and sometimes a water proof outer cover if it’s gonna be wet.

The 5-inch zipped rear opening makes ‘em easy to get into, and the large Velcro closure around the ankle let’s you snug ‘em as you wish. The

The entire sole is a reinforced reflective cover, that adds durability and some safety on darker days. I’ve used several pairs of these over the past few years, and looked after properly, I can tell you they last.

The Capo Euro Winter wool socks are made with 60% wool, with the remaining materials (15% polyester, 15% Lycra, and 10% elastic) used for stretch, form and durability. I’ve been wearing these for year, and seen these last 2 – 3 seasons with multi-day per week wearing. I’ve also learned the hard way that these must be hung dry after washing – as I’ve shrunk a few pairs by tossing ‘em in the dryer.

Made in Italy. Sizes: S/M, L/XL. Available in black with gray heel cup and toe box.

• For more information, and to find one of their many North American dealers, visit CapoCycling.com